The SWAC title game was delayed by rain at multiple points on Sunday.
But the weather did not deny Alabama State a championship.
The Hornets survived a long week at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, by scoring an 8-6 win over Florida A&M.
“I’m just proud for Alabama State,” said Hornets manager Jose Vasquez to SWAC TV after the game. “I’m not happy for myself. “I’m happy for them (the players) because they can continue to play baseball.”
Alabama State (34-21), which won its third SWAC Baseball Championship, built what looked like a comfortable lead behind a burst of offense in the middle innings.
Breydon Divine set the tone in the first inning with a single and a stolen base before scoring on Niguel Jenkins’ RBI hit. Florida A&M quickly answered, as Jackson McKenzie’s RBI double tied the game and hinted at the fight ahead.
Alabama State regained control in the third inning. Devin Chandler reached to open the frame, and Miguel Oropeza—who would later be named tournament MVP—came through with an RBI single to push the Hornets back in front.
The fourth inning gave Alabama State separation. Fabian Santana drove in a run, Chandler followed with another RBI hit, and Jenkins drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to cap a three-run frame. At 5-1, the Hornets had momentum and breathing room.
Florida A&M trimmed the deficit in the bottom half, but the game’s biggest swing came two innings later.
With two runners aboard in the sixth, Trey Callaway delivered the decisive blow—a three-run home run to right-center that stretched the lead to 8-2. It was his lone hit of the afternoon, but it carried championship weight.
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Still, the Rattlers weren’t done.
Florida A&M (30-23), which lost in the title game for the second consecutive season, chipped away in the final innings, scoring in the seventh and capitalizing on an Alabama State error in the eighth to plate two unearned runs. A sacrifice fly brought the score to 8-6, turning what once felt secure into a tense finish.
That tension landed squarely on James Peterson’s shoulders.
The Hornets reliever battled through traffic in the ninth, allowing two singles before locking in. A foul out steadied the inning, and a final fly ball to right field ended it—triggering a celebration for Alabama State and sealing Peterson’s seventh win of the season.
Peterson tossed 4 2/3 innings in relief, while Jorhan LaBoy provided a solid start. Oropeza’s consistent production throughout the tournament earned him MVP honors, and he was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Peterson, LaBoy, and Santana.
“We’re a great team, and we bonded together well,” said Wallace. “That’s how we were able to win.”
Now, Alabama State turns its focus forward.
With the SWAC’s automatic bid secured, the Hornets will await their NCAA Tournament destination during Tuesday’s selection show. But after surviving Sunday’s test, they head into the postseason battle-tested—and still standing.
